ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays infielder Joey Wendle fractured his right wrist when he was hit by a pitch during Wednesday’s game against the Royals, X-rays at Tropicana Field revealed.

Wendle was removed from the 10-2 loss after being hit on the right hand by Jake Diekman’s pitch in the sixth inning. The 28-year-old stayed in after being hit but was replaced by Brandon Lowe at second base in the seventh inning. Michael Perez replaced Lowe at first base, and Mike Zunino entered the game at catcher.

“It’s frustrating,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said after the game. “Ball got away from a lefty. Joey worked so hard to get back here quick, and then this happens. Pretty unfortunate, but knowing Joey, just the character of the person, he’ll get on the rehab and get back as soon as possible."

Wendle was activated on Sunday after being sidelined with a left hamstring strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list on April 1. Since returning, Wendle was hitting .200 with two RBIs.

Following the game, Wendle left to see a hand specialist to determine the severity of the injury. He will go back on the injured list, and a corresponding move will be made before Friday’s game against Boston.

“We don’t have an update on when, what the time frame is,” Cash said. “But I would bet on Joey to speed it up real quick.”

With Austin Meadows already on the injured list with a fractured right thumb and Ji-Man Choi still battling a left calf injury, the Rays' depth will be tested over the next couple of weeks.

“We’re getting better news on Ji-Man,” Cash said. “With an off-day, I think he’s going to be right about ready, which will be good. With Austin and Joey, we just have to wait. It’s an opportunity for some other guys to come up and do some good things for us.”

Last season, Wendle hit .300 with seven home runs and 61 RBIs.

Yarbrough optioned
Following the game, Tampa Bay announced that it had optioned left-hander Ryan Yarbrough to Triple-A Durham. The corresponding move to replace him on the 25-man roster will be determined before Friday’s game.

Yarbrough, who led American League rookies with 16 wins last season, has struggled to begin 2019. After allowing seven earned runs in relief Wednesday, he has an 8.10 ERA in five appearance. He threw 74 pitches on Wednesday, 43 of them strikes.

“Kind of an odd outing a little bit for Yarbrough,” Cash said. “Thought he came out throwing the ball well, throwing strikes, really pumped a bunch of strikes and then for whatever reason, lost -- I’m not going to say command -- but lost feel of some of his pitches and put himself in a bind.”

Jalen Beeks, who pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings on Tuesday, will likely move into the “bulk guy” role that has been occupied primarily by Yarbrough over the past year.